JACKSONVILLE — The Prairie Council on Aging has had its share of growing pains, but a new building at 800 W. State St. donated by Memorial Health System is providing more room to keep up with needs.

The Prairie Council on Aging, which aims to keep the elderly comfortably in their own homes as long as possible, began about 40 years ago with a single office in the Jacksonville Municipal Building and a handful of employees.

Today, more than 3,000 individuals from five counties — Morgan, Cass, Scott, Greene and Jersey — funnel into the agency annually seeking services, including investigations for elder abuse and application assistance for Medicare Part D.

Nancy Thorsen, executive director for the council, believes those asking for help may feel exposed in the current, open office space. She said her agency has needed a new headquarters for years.

“It’s unbelievably generous for them to gift it unsolicited,” Thorsen said Wednesday. “It’s just one of those prayers you throw out and hope for the best.”

Until the donation, the agency had struggled to find the funding for a move. Thorsen explained that most grants and donations to nonprofits come with the caveat that the money must go directly toward the individuals the nonprofit aids. Overhead needs often are overlooked.

“This gift allows us to have the appropriate level of staff and a wonderful building,” Thorsen said.

She expects the new, 32,000-square-foot location at 800 W. State won’t need much more tweaking than a paint job, and hopes to relocate by the end of the summer.

The roughly 50-year-old building housed several Memorial Physician Services doctors until June 2013, when they moved to a site at Memorial’s affiliate Passavant Area Hospital. Memorial had operated the building since Dr. John Peterson joined Memorial Physician Services in 1996.

Kevin England, vice president of business for Memorial Health System, said donating the building to a nonprofit, as well as putting it up for sale, had been explored. System officials agreed filling the agency’s need would better serve the community, he said.

England noted that improving in-home care for the elderly also aligns with the health system’s mission.

“The longer that we can keep them independent and living in their homes, I think that will be better for them and the community as a whole,” he said.